So, I met Tyger, Ryker, and Jaxy, but couldn’t remember them. That sucks. Ah, well, I hope I regain the memories someday. “How’s Matty?” I asked after a moment, and Tyger relaxed with a smile.
“Your little brother is spending time with Snow, getting the hell mothered out of him and enjoying every second. So, take a shower, and get dressed, then you can spend time with him. He’s worried sick about you, but Snow has kept him busy to keep him from mulling too much,” Arctic chuckled. I flinched when he spoke, and he laughed under his breath. Damn alpha. Tyger snorted a laugh, and I gave the shifter a warning glare. A thought suddenly occurred to me, and my blood turned cold, but Tyger shook his head.
“Ryker will be pissed about why Arctic revealed himself as an alpha. But he will merely be irritated that you know Arctic is more than just someone you have a close bond with. He won’t take it out on Arctic either. When he learns who opened that door, however, well, that’s a different story. Ryker’s not the forgiving type, except with you. Oh, and a tidbit of information to quash those fears of yours. The worst punishment Ryker will ever inflict upon you is he will ground you from your friends. He will never hurt you. Piss you off, sure. Cause you to stubbornly continue to do whatever irritated him, definitely. Never will he harm you, nor Matty. Liam won’t allow that,” Tyger explained in a gentle voice. I felt the truth of his words in my soul and relaxed with a sigh of relief.
“The only reason Ryker mentioned punishments, is because some vampires here are dangerous. For example, they distressed you emotionally, knowing it would affect you physically. Ryker wants you to be wary so you won’t get hurt. Not because he desires it. Hell, you could break everything in this place, and he’d coo about how adorable you are,” Arctic chuckled, and I snorted. Still, my soul felt lighter, and my heart warmed.
While I didn’t like that the vampire scared me with his threat, I understood the reasoning behind it. So, I wouldn’t hold it against him. Not forever, anyway. Tyger smirked and shook his head before helping me stand and offering me a familiar bag. My soul brightened upon recognizing it, and I took it happily, relief filling me from having my stuff back. “No one went through it,” Tyger assured me before I could wonder and my shoulders relaxed, albeit I hadn’t realized I was worried about it. “Ryker wanted you to settle in a bit. That way, you wouldn’t think he was trying to hint for you to run off again.” I looked at the shifter with my brow furrowed, and he nodded. “Yes, Ryker’s an idiot. But that’s why he needs you. How else shall we get his head out of his ass?” With that dry question, the shifter left, pulling Arctic with him while I laughed so hard tears filled my eyes.
Upon opening my bag, I discovered the phone Char gave me nestled on top and stared at it for several seconds. Swallowing, I grabbed it with shaking fingers and sighed upon finding the iPod and headphones nestled on top of my sketchbook. Jaxy. Soft laughter echoed in my ears, and I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to see if anyone tried to contact me, so I placed the phone on the counter, followed by my sketchbook with the gifts from Marcus and Ava too. Tears stung my eyes when I glanced at them again before I shook my head and dug for clothes.
Flinching, I glanced at the door to the bathroom, swallowing nervously when someone softly knocked again. “I don’t want your treasures, Angel,” Tyger soothed gently. “But you’re one of us, so you have to look the part.” The teasing petulance in his voice gave me the strength to open the door, and he looked at what I set aside before smiling and kissing my forehead. “I know you’ll feel more comfortable in your underclothes items, but this is your outfit. Wear it, or I will dress you myself since you’re my favorite little doll.” Rubbing our noses together, the shifter grinned wickedly before cheerfully bidding me to enjoy my shower. Bastard.
Once clean and dressed, I sat on Ryker’s bed to pull on boots that matched Tyger’s, sans the spikes. At least I like the punk rocker look, albeit I didn’t dare glance in the mirror. After seeing how beautiful the predators surrounding me were, I didn’t wish to feel even more like an ugly mutt. Sighing, I stood and turned towards the door, only to find Tyger blocking my path while twirling a small black stick with a grin promising trouble. Oh no. “Oh yes,” the shifter chortled while stepping towards me.
“See, that wasn’t so bad,” Tyger chuckled after tying a black ribbon around the end of my braided hair. I had no choice in the matter, and he lined my eyes with his damn black eyeliner again. “You look ravishing with your eyes emphasized, so get over it,” he declared nonchalantly. Bastard.
Trying to pretend my cheeks weren’t burning, I left the bathroom while the shifter followed, radiating smugness. Why do I feel that if I were to leave this place, Tyger would follow me? Glancing over my shoulder, I took in Tyger’s broad grin, and a shiver raced along my spine. With a soft whimper, I focused on watching where I was going while trying to pretend I couldn’t hear Tyger’s pleased chuckles.
Matty barreled into me once I stepped into the kitchen, and I hugged him as tight as I could. “I’m sorry for worrying you so,” I whispered painfully, and his arms tightened.
“I’m glad to see you on your feet,” Snow murmured before hugging me too. “Arctic bragged about how he took care of the problem,”
